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England end series on sour note

England women ended their summer with a six-wicket loss to New Zealand at Lord's but there were still smiles after securing a 3-2 NatWest Women's Series win.

Charlotte Edwards' side brought an unassailable lead to the 'Home of Cricket' but hopes of a wider margin of victory evaporated in the London heat once England mustered just 176 for nine.

That they even reached that total was down to Lydia Greenway, who made 65 - her highest ODI score - but England were at least 30 runs light.

New Zealand, the beneficiaries of some unusually slack fielding, cantered home with 20 balls remaining.

It might have been different after Katherine Brunt dismantled the New Zealand top order with two wickets in three deliveries to leave the tourists 22 for two.

The Yorkshire seamer loves bowling at Lord's - she was player of the World Twenty20 final here last summer and has an international five-for on this ground too.

Maria Fahey was Brunt's first victim, mistiming a drive to Isa Guha, who took an excellent catch diving forward in the covers. Brunt then made a mess of Lucy Doolan's stumps in the ninth over as England glimpsed at victory.

It was soon 35 for three when wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor and spinner Laura Marsh combined to dismiss the dangerous Suzie Bates, the Sussex player whipping off the bails to spark more celebrations.

That was as good as it got for England, however, as New Zealand - led by Amy Satterthwaite and Sara McGlashan - showed some dogged determination, unlike 12 months ago when they folded in the World Twenty20 final.

The pair put on a workmanlike 111 which ended when Satterthwaite was brilliantly caught by Brunt on 59. But it was too little too late for England.

Rachel Priest appeals successfully for lbw against Laura Marsh after she was struck in front by Erin Bermingham

McGlashan took the attack to England, clipping a boundary and pulling another off Brunt en route to 65 not out as New Zealand coasted home.

Earlier in the day Greenway rescued England's blushes as saved their worst batting performance for the grandest stage of them all.

Coming in at 66 for three, which soon deteriorated to 101 for seven, the Kent left-hander put on vital partnerships with Brunt and Holly Colvin to haul England towards respectability.

Opting for a safety-first approach, Greenway cut loose in the final 10 overs, including hitting three boundaries, all well-timed clips over square-leg which raced towards the Grandstand.

She even succeeded with a reverse sweep - one of eight boundaries which breathed some much needed life into the England innings.

Greenway was finally out in the penultimate over, well caught by Aimee Watkins off Sophie Devine.

England, having won the toss, looked like they might struggle to even reach three figures after a flurry of wickets.

Sarah Taylor was the first to go, caught behind off impressive leg spinner Erin Bermingham, which left England 11 for one.

Claire Taylor, nursing a finger injury sustained while fielding in Saturday's win, perished next, caught by Lucy Doolan off Nicola Browne - the same combination that took care of England captain Edwards, victim of a top-edged pull.

Heather Knight, who had carressed six fours in making 34, and Jenny Gunn soon followed as England fell to 68 for five having lost three wickets for just five runs in the space of 19 balls.

Greenway, named player of the series, said: "It’s an honour. There have been some good performances all round; I was a little surprised to get it.

"I've worked hard on my batting with (coach) Mark Lane and I'm really it is starting to show, but I've got to keep going.

"It's a great personal achievement to set a new highest score and doing it at Lord's makes it special."